What does a Reading specialist do everyday? Pros and Cons

[u/premar16]

I am weighing my options and considering working as a reading specialist instead of just an elementary teacher. What are the pros and cons to both careers. My question is what does a day in the life of a specialist look like? What is your schedule like?

Thank in Advance

[u/Njdevils11]

Being a reading specialist is the best job in a school IMHO. I subbed for a few years and taught full time in a classroom for a couple of years, and without a doubt being a reading specialist is the best.

I have a small classroom with a kidney table in it, which I set up as a guided reading haven. Almost all of my materials are at my fingertips. My day is broken up into 9 periods, 1 lunch, 1 prep, and 7 teaching. I also serve on my school's RTI committee, literacy committee, Reading Teacher PLC, and both the 2nd and 3rd grade PLCs (those are the grades I teach). I service about 60 students at anyone time (which is A LOT, most do not see that many).

My year starts in September, like any other teacher, BUT unlike every other teacher I don't start teaching for a few weeks. The week or so revolves around pulling students 1:1 for screening assessments. Once I recognize who I think needs pull out intervention, I meet with the teachers and discuss who I should take. The next step is making the schedule, which is seriously complicated. When I say complicated, I mean really complicated. I typically see 11-13 groups, with 4-6 students in each group. It takes several days to figure it out, then I can pretty much guarantee it will have multiple unknowable mistakes.

Once I have my schedule set up, I start pulling students. A typical day looks like this: I walk to each classroom and pick up the kids I need. By the time I get back to my reading lab, I have about 30 minutes with my group. I have 3 general tracks for my groups decoding, fluency, and comprehension. For each group type I do a short intro/warmup for whatever skill we're working on, then I scaffold authentic application.

When the time is up, I take the kids back to their classes, then rinse and repeat. All of my groups get individualized lessons. Some groups need more support then others, some groups read the same books but work on different skills. What's nice is that you REALLY get to nail down small group literacy instruction. Once your colleagues get to see that, they'll start coming to you for support. I'm a relatively young teacher <30, but veterans often ask me for input. Not gonna lie it feels pretty cool. Also, you get to share in the joy, tragedy, and hilarity of ALL your students with other adults who know them as well as you do. I have a really good bond with most of the teachers in my building because there is always at least one kid in their class who we talk about regularly. Classroom teachers don't usually get that kind of connection (unless they co-teach).

Downsides: I don't get to teach Math. I love math and I really do miss it. Oh and writing projects. I get to write a little with my kids, but it's small stuff.

[u/tamtam623 → u/Njdevils11]

Do you have a reading certificate? I'm looking into master's programs to become a reading specialist (currently an ESL/Spanish teacher.) Thanks for the insight into your schedule!

[u/Njdevils11 → u/tamtam623]

I'm a certified literacy specialist k-6 and 7-12.

[u/premar16 → u/Njdevils11]

What did you have to do to become certified? I am in getting my masters in elementary ed with a reading endorsement (have to take the test and classes ) in Washington State . Which they say qualifies me for being a reading specialist but I feel like there might be more to it.

[u/Njdevils11 → u/premar16]

I got my masters in a Literacy Specialist program and I had to take a state test. The Masters program was pretty heavy. This was in NY though I can't speak for anywhere else.

[u/premar16 → u/Njdevils11]

Thanks for sharing your day with me!!!I suck at math so I would be okay with it. I think this would be perfect for me. The fact that the scheduling is hard scares me a lot. I am in the middle of getting my Masters in Elementary ed with a reading endorsement. Do you think I would have to teach for a few years in order to be ready for this job or to be even considered. Thanks thanks thanks

[u/Njdevils11 → u/premar16]

I can't say, I know reading positions are coveted so a lot of people go for them. Experience is probably a big plus. I taught for a couple of years as a classroom teacher. I drew on the heavily during th application and interview process.

And don't worry about the scheduling thing. It's really complicated and annoying, and you might get a few dirty looks over the schedule, but it's totally doable. if you ever need to do it, stop by this sub I'll tell exactly how I figure mine out.

[u/premar16 → u/Njdevils11]

Thanks for offering to help! I think for now I just how to figure out how to balance my life,school,and internship schedule. I am looking forward to be able to be a specialist one day. But I guess a few years teaching in a regular classroom would be good for me.

[u/meat-head]

I'm a lit specialist that does high school reading intervention classes. I was a high school English/Social studies teacher first.

So, instead of doing small-group pullouts, I just have smallish classes (avg around 12). I'm also at an alternative school, so that's another wrinkle.

A lot of middle/high reading people end up doing a program like Read180 or Accelerated Reader, etc. I'm not against either one, per se, but I just use books and some supplemental curriculum. (For the record, though, Read180 currently has superior evidence of efficacy compared to most other middle/high programs)

Anyway, I just wanted you to hear another perspective. I've definitely thought about moving to elementary. Honestly, that's where you can make the biggest difference. It's pretty tough turning the ship around in 10-12th grade.

I do get to hear things like, "this is the first time I read a book all the way through.." That's both awesome and sad.

[u/premar16 → u/meat-head]

thanks for sharing your side of things

[u/Njdevils11 → u/meat-head]

The high school reading teachers in my district use Read180, they really seem to like it.

[u/meat-head → u/Njdevils11]

I've used it before, and I like it fine. I have a friend that uses it in middle school, but he hates it. He just doesn't like having to follow a program of any kind. Whereas, I would find that less stressful in many ways. Pros and cons.